Hi, I’m Jezelle! :))
A curious, self-taught home cook and the heart behind Barely Salted. I’m in my late 20s and living on my own, which has shaped how I cook and how I move through everyday life. I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist, but cooking has taught me to embrace a little mess.
How My Love for Cooking Started
Even as a kid, I was drawn to the kitchen. Cooking for our family always made me happy, and I felt a rush of excitement whenever my parents praised my dishes. I also loved collecting recipes from product packaging, books, and TV shows. Each recipe felt like a little treasure hunt for new ideas. Those early experiences sparked the curiosity that still drives me in the kitchen today.
Cooking Philosophy
I grew up learning how to make the most of what was already in the kitchen, and that mindset has stayed with me. I’m frugal and budget-conscious, so I get creative with simple ingredients and find ways to make them go a long way. My wallet keeps me inventive (lol), sometimes more than my taste buds would like, so I focus on meals that are practical, satisfying, and realistic for everyday life. I aim for healthy-ish, but I also firmly believe that a good mood counts as a health benefit, so there’s always room for comfort food.
I also love trying new recipes and exploring dishes from different cultures, including traditional recipes from other countries (even ones I haven’t been to yet). It’s my way of connecting with the world and discovering a little about each place.
How Barely Salted Started
To be honest, I never imagined I’d end up running a food blog. I’ve always been curious about how things work, even if I didn’t always love the technical side of it, and seeing a friend run her own blog gave me the idea to start one too. She encouraged me to bring it to life, and now Barely Salted is my dedicated space to share recipes and express my creativity.
Daily Life & Kitchen Rituals
I usually work from home, and cooking has become something I always look forward to. I like to start my day with a little exercise or meditation. Watching films inspires me in life, and I often have music playing in the background while I cook, which keeps things fun.
My go-to meals are boiled eggs and sweet potatoes. But I also have a massive soft spot for noodles and potato chips, and those are two things I will honestly never say no to.
What You’ll See Here
On Barely Salted, I share a mix of everyday meals and flavor experiments inspired by different places, basically whatever makes cooking fun for me. Beyond the food, I also like to sprinkle in little glimpses of life, from the music and films that inspire me to other things that make me smile.
Ways You Can Support This Site
If you enjoy Barely Salted, there are simple ways to help keep it going. Sharing posts with friends, saving recipes, or following along on social media all mean a lot.
Some links on the site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them (see my affiliate disclosure here). This comes at no extra cost to you and helps me continue sharing recipes, experiments, and the things I love.
You can also support Barely Salted directly. If you’d like, you can make a one-time contribution via PayPal, Ko-Fi or explore my Storefront to see items I recommend or love. Every bit helps, and I appreciate it more than I can say.
Thank you for being part of this space. I’m happy you found your way here :))
Warmly,
Jezelle